• Source:JND
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Hakeem Baloch, a member of the Baloch National Movement's Foreign Committee, has refuted Pakistan’s official account of the Jaffar Express hijacking incident. According to Baloch, the event highlights the ongoing struggle of the Baloch people against Pakistani oppression and the exploitation of their resources by both the Pakistani state and international powers.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Balochistan on Thursday after security forces claimed to have successfully ended the standoff by killing 33 militants. However, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which took responsibility for the attack, has denied these assertions, stating that the battle is still ongoing and that it still holds hostages.

BLA Denies End f Standoff

In a statement, the BLA claimed that civilians, including women, children, and elderly passengers who were not associated with the Pakistani military or government, had been released. However, the group dismissed Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) claim that the operation had concluded.

“The battle continues. Pakistan Army has not yet publicly shared names and photographs of over 100 Pakistani soldiers killed. No names or photos of 33 Baloch fighters have been released either,” the BLA statement read. The group accused the Pakistani military of suppressing casualty figures to maintain morale among its forces.

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Pakistan’s Alleged Fabrication Of Events

Hakeem Baloch further accused the Pakistani government of spreading misinformation, particularly regarding the reported death of the Jaffar Express train driver. He urged the international media to investigate the incident independently instead of accepting the Pakistani state’s version of events.

“The Pakistani state has continuously lied about the situation, and the international community must recognise the truth of what is happening in Balochistan,” Baloch stated.

BLA’s Hostage Negotiation Demands

Hakeem Baloch also highlighted the demands set forth by the BLA for the release of hostages. The insurgent group has called on the Pakistani state to release Baloch political prisoners, prisoners of war, and individuals who have been forcibly disappeared by the Pakistani military over the years.

“If they want these military personnel to be released, they must release the Baloch prisoners who have been in the dungeons of the Pakistani army for decades,” Hakeem emphasised.

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Call For International Scrutiny

Baloch activists have repeatedly urged the international community and human rights organisations to intervene and investigate human rights violations in Balochistan. They argue that Pakistan’s narrative on the Jaffar Express hijacking is yet another attempt to downplay the reality of the Baloch people’s resistance against state oppression.